Page 304 of The Sinner: James

A cloud of electricity sparks between us.

My back meets the metallic frame of his car, and we both freeze for a moment, my hand tucked in his palm. My body enveloped in his warmth.

Heat collars my neck, spreading over my chest while a voice screams inside me, reminding me how badly I want him.

“Not elsewhere either,” he says.

“Hmm…” I murmur, lost in his eyes, no longer focused on our conversation.

“Orgies... There weren’t elsewhere either. Not after we spent that night with you,” he offers again.

I study his face.

“And you expect me to believe you?”

Slowly, he shakes his head and slides his fingers through my hair, his eyes following his tender motion.

Spellbound, I stare at him.

He knows I’m trapped, captivated by his charm, so he flashes a knowing smile.

“We got a taste of something different, and we couldn’t just go back,” he says.

Blood warms my face.

“You can’t possibly say that to me to flatter me.”

He shifts his focus to my eyes, a grin beaming in his gaze.

“I’m honest with you. Some things you may like, and some you may not, but I can’t afford to lie to you. Especially now since this might be my only chance to turn things around.”

His thumb goes down my face, spurring a storm across my skin.

“I’m not saying it to flatter you. We weren’t only fucking you, and that made that experience so unique and hard to replicate.”

I suddenly feel hot.

My gaze dips before I look at him again.

A few moments of silence pass.

“How has your life been all this time?” I ask.

He flicks his eyes away, a dark shadow sliding over his face.

I bring my hand to his cheek, demanding his attention.

“Truth is on the table for both of us,” I say. “If you want me to trust you, you need to answer my questions. Truthfully. And all of them. I’ll do the same for you.”

“How has your life been?” he throws at me, his voice strained, a hard edge flashing through it.

I search his eyes.

“I can’t change my past, James. We both have to live with it.”

“I know,” he says, the sorrow in his voice making my chest tighten with regret.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

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